Abstract: A display lighting system is provided that assembles and installs easily. Luminaires of the system include a pair of arms and a wireway enclosure positioned between the arms at one end of the arms. The enclosure is dimensioned to enclose electrical wiring and at least one electrical component, such as a ballast or transformer. A lamp housing can be attached to the arms at the end opposite the enclosure. An uplight lamp housing is easily mounted to the arms anywhere between the wireway enclosure and lamp housing. Wiring between the enclosure and lamp housings is carried inconspicuously in a trough along the inside of one or both arms. Wiring between adjacent luminaires runs conveniently through nipple connectors connecting adjacent enclosures. Optional accent lighting is also provided.

Abstract: An interconnection architecture for programmable logic devices (PLDs) is presented in which heterogeneous interconnect resources can be programmably connected to function blocks in accordance with two or more operational parameters, such as, for example, signal propagation speed, circuit area, signal routing flexibility, and PLD reliability. Programmable interconnect resources include unbalanced multiplexers, different types of interface buffers, and signal wires of different widths and different wire-to-wire spacings.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying still images to viewers in motion relative to those images, such as passengers on a subway train, includes a plurality of images mounted on a surface, and a slitboard mounted between that surface and the viewer. As the viewers pass by, the slitboard acts like a shutter, creating an animation effect. In addition, there is a stretching or widening effect that enlarges the images, allowing images to be “preshrunk,” thereby allowing a large number of images in a small space, increasing the available frame rate of the animation. The stretching effect depends on the distance between the image surface and the slitboard.

Abstract: Asymmetric finite impulse response (FIR) filters are used to estimate gradients for re-sampling models used in image resizing. Better than conventional 3-tap symmetric FIR filters, these filters provide good edge and extended-frequency responses with good narrow peak sharpening characteristics. These filters emphasize accurate edge handling, where gradients are steepest, over accurate peak handling, where gradients are shallowest. This results in superior zone-plate test signals and better resized image quality.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is provided that has separate array and peripheral power busing to isolate array noise from peripheral circuits such as delay lock loops during row activations and read/write memory operations. A switch connects the array power bus to another separate power bus for a limited period of time during a DRAM refresh cycle to provide additional current to the DRAM arrays. The switch disconnects the array power bus from the other power bus preferably before the end of the refresh cycle.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing a full service cable television system. The cable system incorporates a digital and analog transmission architecture capable of delivering a high number of high quality television programs, advanced cable services, and online services to a subscriber's home. The cable system comprises a cable headend, at least one fiber transport, at least one distribution hub, at least one hybrid fiber coax plant, and a plurality of set-top terminals. Programs and services are transmitted to the set-top terminals in both digital and analog formats to maintain downward compatibility with existing systems. The set-top terminal incorporates a central processing unit, a unified memory architecture, a memory management unit, communications circuitry, I/O control circuitry, and audio and video output circuitry.

Abstract: Voltage coupling/decoupling devices are provided within DRAM devices for improving the bias sensing of sense amplifiers and thus the refresh performance. The voltage coupling/decoupling devices couple or decouple bias voltage from corresponding digit lines coupled to the sense amplifiers. By coupling and decoupling voltage from the digit lines, the time interval between refresh operations can be increased.

Abstract: Gate and storage dielectric systems and methods of their fabrication are presented. A passivated overlayer deposited between a layer of dielectric material and a gate or first storage plate maintains a high K (dielectric constant) value of the dielectric material. The high K dielectric material forms an improved interface with a substrate or second plate. This improves dielectric system reliability and uniformity and permits greater scalability, dielectric interface compatibility, structural stability, charge control, and stoichiometric reproducibility. Furthermore, etch selectivity, low leakage current, uniform dielectric breakdown, and improved high temperature chemical passivity also result.

Abstract: Linear interpolators that are both accurate and cost effective to implement in hardware are presented. These interpolators use a multi-bit value approach that permits adders to be used instead of multipliers. The inherent error known in multi-bit value approaches is corrected by using a more accurate approximation for a distance ratio used in interpolation calculations.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes programmable logic circuitry and control circuitry that is operable to enable the integrated circuit to make a connection to an external source of data for configuring the programmable logic circuitry. The integrated circuit may include dedicated communications port circuitry that can be used in making the above-mentioned connection, or the programmable logic circuitry itself can be configured for operation as communications port circuitry for use in making the connection. The programmable logic circuitry may be configured any number of times.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying still images that appear animated to viewers in motion relative to those images includes a plurality of images mounted on a surface and a slitboard mounted between that surface and the viewer. As viewers pass by, the slitboard acts like a shutter creating an animation effect. Multiple animation effects are created by interspersing and mounting multiple series of still images on the surface. Each series of still images is viewable from a different angle relative to viewers passing by. The still images can be arranged such that all series of images are viewable while passing by the apparatus in the same direction. Alternatively, the images can be arranged such that some series are viewable from one direction while others are viewable from the opposite direction.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for driving a DRAM sense amplifier having low threshold voltage PMOS transistors are described. The source terminal of a low Vtp PMOS transistor is maintained at ground potential during DRAM standby mode. The source terminal of the low Vtp PMOS transistor is raised to an intermediate supply voltage responsive to a transition from DRAM standby mode to either DRAM read mode, write mode, or refresh mode and prior to development of a differential voltage between the gate and drain terminals of the low Vtp PMOS transistor. These circuits and methods advantageously limit current loss through the low Vtp PMOS transistor when the differential voltage develops between the gate and drain terminals of that low Vtp PMOS transistor and in the event of a word line and digital line short-circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for displaying still images that appear animated to viewers in motion relative to those images. The apparatus includes a backboard, a plurality of images mounted on a backboard, and a slitboard mounted between the backboard and the viewer. As viewers pass by, the slitboard acts like a shutter creating an animation effect. Various backboard and slitboard side profiles, such as, for example, parallel and vertical, parallel and non-vertical, parallel and nonplanar, and nonparallel and nonplanar, can be used to facilitate installation of the apparatus in spatially-constrained environments.

Abstract: A computer-system bus switch architecture is presented that has high throughput and low latency. The architecture provides a multi-port PCI bus switch that includes a primary port controller, a crossbar switch, and a plurality of secondary port controllers. The primary port controller couples to a main system bus to which, for example, a system controller is coupled, and the secondary port controllers are each coupled to a local bus to which a plurality of peripheral devices are coupled. The crossbar switch selectively routes traffic from any port controller to any other port controller.

Abstract: Digit equilibrate current is reduced during self-refresh mode by reducing the time that the sub-arrays in a volatile memory are precharged with the bleeder device enabled. A selected sub-array is precharged with the bleeder device enabled one cycle prior to having a given row of memory cells refreshed. An auto-refresh counter and row address block are used to generate a section address and a row address of memory cells to refresh. Each sub-array has a given row of memory cells refreshed before another row of memory cells in a given sub-array is refreshed.

Abstract: Shutting off a liquid supply line (2, 3) intended to convey foam precursors into a polyurethane foam mixing and dispensing gun, gives a better result when a system for shutting off and relieving the pressure is inserted in said supply line. This system enables to annul the pressure at the closed mouth of the gun by relieving the pressure in the supply line (2, 3).

Abstract: Circuits and methods are provided that reduce, if not prevent, the adverse effects of transient noise on phase adjustments made by digital delay lock loop (DLL) circuits, which typically generate a periodic output signal having a particular phase relationship with a periodic input signal. A digital low pass filter of a DLL circuit includes circuitry, such as, for example, a thermometer register, coupled to receive the outputs of a DLL phase detector. The low pass filter prevents the DLL circuit from making frequent changes to the phase of the DLL output signal.

Abstract: Corner studs for prefabricated building systems are presented. The corner studs have an angled side that when interconnected with the angled side of another such stud forms a complete, structurally sound corner. The studs can be fabricated such that they can form corners of various angles. For example, corner studs can be fabricated to form corners of substantially 90°, 108° (e.g., used in pentagonal structures), or 120° (e.g., used in hexagonal structures). Galvanized metal, stainless steel, wood, suitable plastics, and other suitable materials can be used to fabricate the studs. The corner studs can have solid or hollow interiors with various cross-sectional configurations.

Abstract: Linear luminaires that asymmetrically distribute emitted and reflected light are presented. These luminaires have single or twin unit fluorescent lighting and optional uplighting. Each includes an elliptical baffle assembly and at least one independently adjustable reflector enclosed within the housing of the luminaire. The adjustable reflector is adjustable through at least about 15° of rotation and is at least partially hidden from view by the housing and baffle assembly. The luminaires can be surface mounted, suspended, or cantilever mounted, and include wireways to permit wiring to be run discreetly inside and through adjacent asymmetric distribution luminaires.

Abstract: A panel, particularly a floor-covering panel, is provided that has separate horizontal and vertical locking structures. The panel has a first side edge and a second side edge. The first side edge has a groove and a locking lip, and the second side edge has a tongue and a locking tongue. The first side edge of one panel interlocks with the second side edge of another panel without adhesives or fasteners such that the tongue and groove form a joint that provides a vertical interconnection lock and the locking lip and locking tongue form a joint that provides a horizontal interconnection lock. Advantageously, one or more first side edge surfaces opposite surfaces of the second edge locking tongue have a space between them. The separate horizontal and vertical locking structures reduces, if not prevents, damage to the locking structures during joining of panels.